When historians and researchers study an NFL player's career, it's not the number of Pro Bowl selections that carry the most weight. Landing a spot on the All-Pro first team has always been more prestigious, as well as a more accurate sign of a player's value during that season.

The voting process isn't perfect (especially in regard to the runners-up), but the list often does a respectable job of accomplishing its primary goal: listing the cream of the crop at each NFL position.

The 2014 All-Pro squad was announced on Friday. Here is our position-by-position breakdown:

Offense

Peyton Manning received all 50 votes last year. Rodgers might have been the unanimous choice this season if his counting numbers weren't deflated by so many games that ended by halftime in Lambeau Field. With apologies to Romo's career year in a run-first offense, Rodgers was alone atop the NFL at quarterback in 2014.

This was an easy choice. The surprise is that Murray was not a unanimous selection after leading the NFL in rushing and breaking records for most consecutive 100-yard performances to start a season. As stellar as Lynch was in carrying the Seahawks' offense, Bell was the best all-around back in football this year.

Perhaps it's time to do away with All-Pro acknowledgment for a position that is going the way of the dinosaur. Kuhn got the nod because writers recognize and apparently love the Lambeau Field's "Kuuuuhn!" cheer. An afterthought in most offensive packages, he participated in just 18 percent of the Packers' snaps this season. Bruce Miller of the 49ers is the Kuhn ideal made real. Sherman is a worthy second-team selection.

It's a mild surprise that Julio Jones didn't receive a single vote, but it's hard to quibble with the top four vote-getters. Brown has to be on the first team as a nod to his consistency. Even if Nelson has the strongest argument for the other spot, Bryant carried the Cowboys' aerial attack and came up with huge catches in key situations while leading the league in touchdowns. Thomas can be as unstoppable as any receiver when he's not hampered by nagging injuries. RookiesensationOdell Beckham made one ballot.

Former Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride believes Smith is the most valuable of all the Cowboys' MVP candidates. With quick feet and elite athleticism calling to mind Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, Smith will be a mainstay on this list. Whitworth didn't allow a single sack and only one quarterback hit all year, per Pro Football Focus; he was more deserving than Thomas. Ricky Wagner of the Ravens should have been the recipient of more than two votes.

Pouncey gets decorated after each season regardless if he plays well. This was perhaps his best season. Frederick has more than justified Dallas' decision to "reach" for him in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Nick Mangold of the Jets enjoyed an excellent bounce-back season of his own.

I spent the Christmas break in Cincinnati, where the outrage over Jones' Pro Bowl snub was palpable. The Queen City faithful can take solace in Pacman's All-Pro selection after finishing in the top three in kickoff- and punt-return average.

Gregg Rosenthal believes McCoy was this year's biggest first-team snub because there's no better interior pass rusher. Suh was the linchpin on one of the five best run defenses of the past 25 years and a ferocious pass rusher in his own right. Dareus was the dominant player on the league's most disruptive defensive line.

Voters are guilty of using the sacks list as a cheat sheet. Although Houston was deserving of a unanimous selection, Miller was robbed in the second spot. He's a difference-maker in the run game whereas Dumervil is a situational pass rusher. From the beginning of October to the end of November, Barwin was an absolute terror for the Eagles.

Eleven voters understood that Levy was one of the best defensive players in the league. They just couldn't agree on his position. Kuechly has been the best middle linebacker in football for two years running. Wagner isn't far behind, taking his game to another level. His five missed games didn't trouble the voters.

It's fitting that Revis and Sherman top the list, as they were the NFL's best at shutting down top receivers. Aqib Talib handles that role for the Broncos, but it's still a pleasant surprise to see Harris rewarded for posting the league's best opposing passer rating. Vontae Davis deserved more votes but lacked Grimes' highlight-reel signature play. Joe Haden might have earned a spot if the September game film was burned.

As the key to the NFL's stingiest defense for three consecutive seasons, Thomas is a worthy successor to Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu as the consensus top safety. Still just 25 years old, he now has four All-Pro nods and five Pro Bowls under his belt. Weddle enjoyed a typically excellent season, but we would have preferred Antoine Bethea of the 49ers as the other first-team safety. Playing through an ankle injury, Chancellor was actually a liability for a significant portion of the season.